Middle East tourism losing $600 million a day

The ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel is dealing a heavy blow to the Middle East’s travel and tourism industry, which is losing an estimated $600 million a day, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

In a statement, the WTTC said the losses are largely driven by a steep fall in international tourist spending, alongside disruptions to air travel, growing security concerns among travellers and wider interruptions to regional connectivity.

The organisation noted that the Middle East represents around 5 percent of global tourism and accounts for roughly 14 percent of international transit passengers. In normal times, major airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Manama handle about 526,000 passengers each day.

Over the past two weeks, however, these hubs have experienced significant disruptions and congestion. The crisis has also reverberated across global aviation, with airfares rising on several international routes as airlines adjust to restricted airspace and operational difficulties.

According to WTTC projections, the Middle East had been on track to generate about $207 billion in international visitor spending in 2026. The ongoing conflict has now placed that outlook under considerable strain, the organisation said, warning that even limited disruptions to travel flows can quickly trigger substantial economic losses across the tourism sector.

WTTC president and chief executive Gloria Guevara expressed cautious optimism, noting that the global travel and tourism industry has historically shown resilience in recovering from major crises. She emphasised the need for transparent information sharing, close public–private cooperation and strong security measures to help restore traveller confidence.